Hearts Romp Over Mattoon; CHBC Downs St. Anthony Girls (UPDATED)

Published on December 6 2012 9:53 pm
Last Updated on December 7 2012 8:15 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham Lady Hearts posted a convincing 61-33 win over the Mattoon Lady Wave in girls high school basketball action Thursday night. The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com.

The Hearts held a 15-14 lead after one quarter, but then blew open the contest, scoring the first 16 points of the second period to lead 31-17 at halftime. A 21-8 explosion in the third quarter left Effingham ahead 52-25 at the end of the period. Effingham outscored Mattoon 9-8 in the final quarter. The Lady Hearts led by as much as 35 points in the contest.

Effingham shot 46% from the field, making 25 of 54 including eight of 14 from three-point range. The Hearts overcame a three of 10 performance at the foul line and committed 13 turnovers.

Mattoon made just 30% of its shots, 12 of 40, and made just four of 12 foul shots. Mattoon turned the ball over 19 times and made three of six three-point shots.

Effingham outrebounded Mattoon 33-17.

Kelli Utz and Josie Zerrusen shared scoring honors for Effingham with 15 points apiece. Caitlin Kaufman scored 11 points, all in the first half. Also for Effingham: Maddy Field had six points, Stephanie Robb and Jantzen Michael four apiece, and Lauren Stephenson, Felicia Totten and Taylor Willis two points each. Morgan Weiser and Morgan Wilson also played as Coach Jeff Schafer played everyone on his bench.

Effingham improved to 5-3 on the season, 2-0 in the Apollo Conference in facing Mattoon for the first time as a conference opponent. Mattoon is now 3-5 on the season.

Effingham won the JV game 31-22. Marranda Steffen led Effingham with 10 points while Morgan Wilson scored seven and Britanny Beals pulled down 11 rebounds.

Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City downed St. Anthony at the Enlow Center 60-32 Thursday night.

CHBC led 19-7 after the first quarter as Micah Jones tallied 11 points. The Hornets pushed into a 32-15 halftime lead, and led 49-24 after three quarters. In the third quarter, Autumn Riley tallied seven points and finished out with six in the final quarter for 20 points to lead the Hornets.

Jones chipped in with 19 and Ava Paruleski with 11. St. Anthony was led by Megan Nuxoll with 10 points and Kate Richards with nine.